Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Sophie Organizes Hotel Reopening

In the present day, Sophie Sheridan is deeply focused on organizing the grand reopening of her late mother Donna's hotel. The task is made emotionally challenging by the absence of her two fathers, Harry and Bill, who cannot attend due to unforeseen circumstances.

When

1 year after Donna's passing

Where

Hotel Bella Donna

Sophie Struggles with Marriage

As Sophie prepares for the hotel opening, her marriage to Sky is strained due to his work commitments in New York. This distance adds to her emotional turmoil as she tries to honor her mother’s memory while feeling disconnected from her husband.

Flashback to Young Donna

Flashing back to 1979, a young Donna graduates, feeling frustrated by her mother Ruby's absence on this important day. Alongside her friends Tanya and Rosie, they proudly embrace their identity as the 'Dynamos' and prepare for adventures ahead.

When

1979

Donna's Paris Encounter

During her travels, Donna meets Harry in Paris, where they share a brief but meaningful night. This momentary connection sets the stage for a significant twist in her life as she later departs for Greece.

Where

Paris

Bill Offers Donna a Ride

After missing her boat to Kalokairi, Donna is offered a ride by Bill, who is charismatic and adventurous. Their journey also involves helping a stranded fisherman, which showcases Donna's spirit of adventure and willingness to lend a hand.

Where

Kalokairi, Greece

Harry Follows Donna to Greece

Unbeknownst to Donna, Harry has followed her to Greece but arrives too late to catch her. He watches in despair as her boat departs, illustrating the fate of their budding relationship.

Where

Greece

Donna Meets Sam

Upon arriving on the island, Donna is caught in a storm that leads her to a frightened horse in a basement. Soon, she meets Sam, a young man on a motorcycle, who comes to her rescue, igniting a romantic spark between them.

Where

Donna's farmhouse

Storm Disrupts Reopening Festivities

In the present day, a storm disrupts the hotel reopening festivities, causing chaos and affecting media coverage. This turn of events parallels the wild emotions and romantic tensions experienced by Donna and Sam in their past.

Where

Hotel Bella Donna

Donna's Heartbreak

As Donna and Sam’s romance grows, she finally decides to share her desire to stay on Kalokairi. However, when she discovers Sam’s engagement to another woman, heartbreak leads her to send him away, marking a significant turning point in her life.

Harry and Bill Support Sophie

Back in the present, Harry drops a business deal in Tokyo to be with Sophie, and Bill joins him, both motivated by love for Sophie. Their arrival at the docks is complicated by a lack of available boats, but Bill secures passage with a local fisherman.

Where

Docks

Donna's Music and Heartache

In the past, heartbroken over her relationships, Donna channels her emotions into music alongside Tanya and Rosie. Bill reappears, rekindling their affair, while Rosie harbors her own feelings for him, complicating their dynamic.

Sophie Reunites with Family

As guests gather for the hotel’s reopening, Sophie has an emotional reunion with her two fathers and Sky. She finds strength in sharing her pregnancy news with Sky, connecting deeply with her mother’s journey and challenges.

Where

Hotel Bella Donna

Ruby Makes an Unexpected Visit

Sophie’s estranged grandmother, Ruby, arrives unexpectedly, seeking to reconnect with Sophie after being tracked down. This pivotal moment opens a new chapter in their family relationships, highlighting the theme of reconciliation.

Celebration and Reunion

Sophie honors her mother's legacy by performing a song with Tanya and Rosie during the hotel reopening celebration. The emotional performance is met with heartfelt praise from Ruby, revealing deep familial connections and shared love.

Where

Hotel Bella Donna

Baby's Christening

Fast forward nine months later, Sophie’s baby boy is welcomed during a joyful christening ceremony surrounded by family. As the celebration unfolds, it becomes a unifying moment for all characters, including the spirit of Donna watching over them.